India-France Space Cooperation Enters New Phase
Human spaceflight, TRISHNA, start-ups and emerging technologies emerge as key areas of expanding partnership
- India-France space partnership enters a new phase focused on human spaceflight.
- TRISHNA and Gaganyaan remain key areas of bilateral cooperation.
- More than 400 Indian space start-ups offer new collaboration opportunities.
- India-France Year of Innovation 2026 is expanding cooperation in emerging technologies.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th Sept: India-France space cooperation is entering a new phase with a focus on human spaceflight, microgravity research, start-ups and emerging space technologies, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Monday.
Dr. Jitendra Singh made the remarks during a meeting with a high-level French delegation led by Prof. Philippe Baptiste, French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, in New Delhi.
The discussions covered the upcoming Space Summit, the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, and priorities in scientific and technological cooperation, including space, CEFIPRA and the Blue Economy.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the India-France space partnership has evolved over more than six decades, beginning with sounding rocket experiments in the 1960s and expanding to joint satellite missions, launch vehicle technologies and human spaceflight.
He highlighted Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, jointly developed by ISRO and France’s CNES, as important milestones in the partnership. He also referred to cooperation in launch vehicle engine development and said work on the third joint satellite mission, TRISHNA, is progressing well.
Gaganyaan Cooperation Expands
The Minister appreciated French support for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, including the supply of consumables and training of flight surgeons.
Indian and French teams have also begun discussions on microgravity research and parabolic flights in connection with human spaceflight, opening another area for scientific cooperation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s ongoing transformation of the space sector and the growth of its private space ecosystem have created opportunities to expand cooperation beyond government agencies and established institutions.
He pointed out that more than 400 Indian space start-ups are now working across areas such as rocket development, satellite manufacturing and space applications.
According to the Minister, the next phase of India-France cooperation could bring together government institutions, industries and start-ups from both countries, creating a broader ecosystem and expanding the pool of resources and expertise available for space activities.
India-France Year of Innovation 2026
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of France in February, provides an important platform for expanding cooperation in innovation and emerging technologies.
He also referred to the upcoming Water Cycle and TRISHNA Mission event in Bengaluru on October 11, where ISRO will contribute outreach material and senior officials will discuss the TRISHNA satellite and its applications.
The Minister said the space partnership forms part of a wider India-France scientific relationship covering biotechnology, digital sciences and technologies and ocean sciences.
He highlighted the role of institutions and mechanisms such as CEFIPRA and Indo-French joint centres in sustaining scientific cooperation between the two countries.
Focus on Blue Economy and Deep Ocean Mission
The discussions also covered cooperation in ocean sciences and the Blue Economy.
Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to India’s Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to explore the scientific and resource potential of the deep oceans. He said the expanding engagement across space, science and ocean domains provides scope for building a broader India-France partnership involving institutions, industries and other stakeholders.
France Backs Deeper Space Collaboration
Prof. Philippe Baptiste said France shares India’s vision of taking bilateral cooperation forward in science, technology and space.
He expressed interest in expanding collaboration in human spaceflight, astronaut health, microgravity research and parabolic flights.
Baptiste also welcomed greater connections between research institutions and start-ups from the two countries, reflecting a shared objective of developing a stronger innovation ecosystem.
The French delegation included Ambassador of France to India Thierry Mathou, senior officials and advisers from the French government, along with representatives of the country’s academic and space ecosystem.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was accompanied by senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, CSIR, Department of Space, Ministry of External Affairs and CEFIPRA.
The meeting comes as India and France mark the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, with bilateral cooperation continuing across space, science and technology, biotechnology, digital sciences and ocean sciences.
The discussions are expected to provide further momentum to the longstanding partnership while opening greater opportunities for collaboration among government institutions, research organisations, industries and start-ups.
